Branch was a dominant interior run defender last season, playing in all 16 games and recording a career-high 49 tackles. The 32-year-old hasn’t been nearly as effective this season, however, and after struggling in a Week 1 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, he’s hardly seen the field.

Branch played six defensive snaps in Week 2, 21 in Week 3 and 12 in Week 4, finishing with zero tackles over those three games. His 81 total snaps on defense this season are the fewest by any Patriots D-lineman.